Anthony Joshua has no doubt that as "the guy who should beat Wladimir Klitschko" he must defeat Eric Molina in style this weekend.

Joshua makes the second defence of his IBF world heavyweight title when he takes on Texan Molina at Manchester Arena on Saturday night.

If the 27-year-old Briton, as expected, is successful, he is set to face Klitschko next year for the vacant WBA crown, with promoter Eddie Hearn, quoted by the BBC, saying the date could be April 29 and the venue Wembley Stadium.

When asked about Klitschko at a public workout at Manchester Arena yesterday, Joshua said: "I still have Molina in front of me.

"I have to keep myself on the rise. You know how it goes with people - one bad performance and they say 'you'll never beat that guy'.

"I'm the guy that should beat Klitschko, so I have to make sure I perform like the guy who should beat Klitschko. Even though I'm not fighting him (on Saturday), I have to look good."

Another fighter aside from Molina that Joshua was asked about was David Haye.

Haye, whose comeback continues with an all-British clash against Tony Bellew in March, has been calling Joshua out of late, labelling him robotic and suggesting he could knock him out in two or three rounds.

The unbeaten Joshua's response when that was put to him at the public workout was to suggest Haye, 36, is more known these days for his mouth than his ability in the ring.

"The issue with a lot of boxers is that they are known for talking, not known for boxing," Joshua said.

"I try to keep (things) relevant for what I do in the ring. That is why I don't really buy into the talk.

"I am a boxer, not a political figure. I don't need to voice all my opinions. I need to fight, and be good at that."

Joshua also indicated he is more interested in facing WBC champion Deontay Wilder after Klitschko than Haye.

"I know I'll fight for one (title) if I get past Molina, and then it is if Deontay Wilder wants to fight after that sometime," he said.

"I can't predict it, but there is a very possible chance that I could have a few more straps around my waist next year."

Haye has also been quoted in the national press airing his views on Saturday's fight, saying he can see 34-year-old Molina (25-3, 19 KOs) potentially being knocked out in the first round by Joshua (17-0, 17 KOs).

Molina has had a dig in return himself, describing Haye as a fighter nobody in the United States has heard of who he pays little attention to.

The American also says people writing him off in general has helped "strengthen" him in preparation for this contest.

"The world wants to write me off and not even give me a shot," Molina told Press Association Sport.

"That is fine. I've trained extremely hard for this fight and I'll put everything I have into it.

"I really don't pay too much attention to David Haye. In America he is nothing - walk down the road and ask somebody who David Haye is, and nobody knows.

"They can underestimate me all they want. Everybody has got their opinion. I'm alright with them giving their opinion - I can say that it has strengthened me, to train hard harder."